Global Disaster Watch – An Overview

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Disease

Schistosomiasis – Myanmar – Update

The Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports reported that of the nearly 1,000 suspect schistosomiasis cases tested in Rakhine State, 520 were Schistosoma mansoni IgG (Elisa) positive. In addition to Rakhine, some people with schistosomiasis were detected in Shwe Kyin of Bago region and Inn Lay of Shan state.

Fish Tapeworm – Chile

Officials in Puerto Octay, Lagos region, Chile are issuing a health alert after an outbreak of the tapeworm infection, diphyllobothriasis had been reported. According to local media, six cases in adults ages 30-60 have been confirmed positive for the parasite. They all noted being frequent consumers of raw fish, mostly as ceviche.

Congenital Syphilis – Arizona, USA

There is currently a statewide outbreak of syphilis in Arizona, a bacterial infection that is usually spread by sexual contact. Medical providers are seeing the largest increase of syphilis cases in women and newborns. A pregnant woman can pass syphilis to her unborn child, which is called congenital syphilis.

Congenital syphilis can lead to problems with the skin, eyes and brain, stillbirth or infant death. Up to 40 percent of untreated syphilitic pregnancies result in stillbirth or newborn death.

In a follow-up on a report in early October, Arizona state health officials report the number of congenital syphilis cases, or syphilis cases in babies has risen to 45 as of today. Of this total, eight baby deaths have been reported.

Lassa Fever – Nigeria

Nigerian health officials reported three additional confirmed Lassa fever cases during the week ending Nov. 18 in Edo and Ondo states. One death was reported among the cases. Since the beginning of the year, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has seen 562 confirmed and 17 probable cases and 161 deaths.